The City of Sacramento’s Film + Media office has launched a new rebate program aimed at encouraging large film and television productions to shoot within city limits. The program, now accepting applications, offers up to $250,000 in total reimbursements for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Funded through one-time Measure U dollars, the rebate is part of the City’s broader effort to grow its creative economy by bringing in high-budget productions that generate jobs and local spending.
“This isn’t just about attracting big-name productions,” said Sacramento Film Commissioner Jennifer West. “It’s about building a pipeline of opportunity for local crew, vendors and businesses. While the rebate is designed to draw outside investment, it’s structured to ensure real local benefit—only Sacramento-based labor is eligible for reimbursement.”
To qualify, productions must have a City of Sacramento budget of at least $1 million and must film at least five days or 20 percent of their total production schedule within city limits. Applicants must also show proof of 80 percent secured financing. Productions are limited to one rebate per calendar year.
Reimbursements include 100 percent of required City service fees, including police, fire, permitting and parking costs. An additional 25 percent rebate is available for qualified local expenses, such as hotel stays, catering, equipment rentals, local hires and wardrobe purchases.
Eligible productions include feature films, television pilots, scripted and unscripted series, and documentaries. Commercials, student films, music videos, game shows, news programs and other categories listed in the official guidelines are not eligible.
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of City staff, economic development professionals and industry peers. Interested applicants are encouraged to email filmoffice@cityofsacramento.org to schedule a preliminary meeting and should be prepared to provide filming dates, budget details, a project description and scope, and production needs.
Full program guidelines and application materials are available on the Sacramento Film + Media website.
About Sacramento Film + Media
Sacramento Film + Media office provides essential services to those interested in filming in the Sacramento area. The office works to leverage regional location assets, strengthen local crews, assist local filmmakers and attract out-of-town productions.
Sacramento Film + Media carries out film permitting and provides location assistance, production information, ordinance and regulatory information, internships and grant opportunities.
The Film Office has issued 22 permits in 2025 for 45 days of filming. This resulted in 308 local hires, 1,550 hotel nights and had a direct economic impact of over $1.09 million.
The office has also allocated more than $267,000 for 36 grants to support locally filmed productions. The recipients of the grants represent an array of storylines with diverse cast and crews.